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Due to the increasing level of professionalism, the high frequency of competitions, and the alarming injury rate observed in elite female soccer players, multidisciplinary strategies, including nutritional monitoring, need to be implemented. This study aimed to quantify energy, macronutrient and micronutrient intakes during the competitive period and to analyze the effects of two different nutritional interventions on nutritional knowledge, anthropometric data, biochemical values and physical performance. 19 elite female soccer players were randomly divided into two groups: the controlled-diet group (CG, n = 10), that followed a diet based on pre-established menus, and the exchange-diet group (EG, n = 9), that designed their own menus with an exchanged list. A cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate the dietary intake, while an experimental randomized controlled trial was designed to compare the effects of both 12-week nutritional interventions. Total energy, CHO, PROT, fibre and micronutrients intakes were below the general recommendations for athletes while, total and saturated fat intakes were above these. Moreover, there were no differences in diet during weekdays, pre-competition and competition days. The study also revealed a low nutritional knowledge and exchanged diet has demonstrated to be a better strategy to improve this. Biochemical monitoring showed that participants presented decreased concentration of haemoglobin and controlled diet may lead to greater effects on haemoglobin concentration and in anemia prevention. Both EG and CG showed significant reduction on skinfolds sum after intervention, but no significant differences were observed in thigh and calf indices. However, no significant changes were observed in soccer-related skills for any group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the influence of unknown additional eccentric loading on bench-press kinematics (peak velocity, peak acceleration and accelerative percentage of the concentric phase) and muscle activation (pectoralis major and anterior deltoid) in professional rugby and handball players. Seventeen professional athletes were randomly assigned to complete three separate bench-press repetitions with different AEL schemes (100/40%, 100/60% and 100/80% of 1RM eccentric/concentric loading, respectively) under two conditions: known- and unknown-concentric load (KL and UL, respectively). Results indicate that the lack of knowledge regarding the additional eccentric load induced a significant increase in peak acceleration and agonist-muscles electromyographic activity, with no changes regarding peak velocity or accelerative percentage during the concentric phase. These results support the use of unknown loads as a practical strategy in eliciting rapid muscle activation and force production, which is critical in many sports, such as handball or rugby. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of RICYDE. Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte is the property of Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to determine the optimal load (Pmax load) and optimal power spectrum (OPS) to achieve maximum power output (Pmax) during the snatch and clean with international weightlifters (IW) and national competitive weightlifters (NW). Twenty-two male weightlifters participated in two testing sessions. The first session involved performing one-repetition maximums (1RM) in the snatch and clean and second session assessed a power test across a spectrum of loads (30–90%) of each subject’s 1RM in the predetermined exercises tested. Relative load had a significant effect on peak power, with Pmax load being obtained with 90% of 1RM for snatch and clean in the IW and 70 and 90% of 1RM for snatch and clean, respectively, in the NW. OPS was located between 80 and 90% for snatch and no OPS was found for the clean exercise in IW. In the NW, OPS was located between 70% up to 90% and 50% up to 90% in the snatch and clean, respectively. It may be advantageous to know the Pmax load and OPS in the snatch and clean when training to maximise power of weightlifters of different sport performance. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Although the ability to develop high levels of power is considered as a key component of success in many sporting activities, the optimal load (Pmax load) that maximizes power output (Pmax) remains controversial mainly during weightlifting movements. The aim of the present study was to determine Pmax load and optimal power spectrum (OPS) required to elicit Pmax by comparing jerk and back jerk exercises in competitive weightlifters. Thirteen male competitive weightlifters participated in 2 testing sessions. The first session involved performing one repetition maximum (1RM) in the back jerk and jerk and the second session assessed a power test across a spectrum of loads (30-90%) of each subject's 1RM in the predetermined exercises tested. Relative load had a significant effect on peak power, with Pmax load being obtained at 90% of the subjects' 1RM in both exercises assessed. There was no significant difference between the power outputs at 80% of 1RM compared with 90% of 1RM. Furthermore, Pmax load and OPS were the same for jerk and back jerk, whereas peak power in the back jerk demonstrated no significant increases in every load of the power-load curve. We can conclude that it may be advantageous to use loads equivalent to 80-90% of the 1RM in jerk and back jerk in competitive weightlifters when training to maximize power. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to assess the validity and reliability of measures obtained by a 3-axis commercial accelerometer during weightlifting movements in comparison with kinematic data derived from the 3D videography. Kinematic data from 3D videography were obtained from 11 track & field throwers performing 3 trials each one at different loads in power snatch, power clean and jerk from the rack. The results showed that the accelerometer measures were highly correlated with derived acceleration data from 3D videography data in the vertical plane (Z axis) taking up to the pull phase (including first pull, transition and second pull) for power snatch and power clean and up to the highest point of the bar path before the catch position (including dip, drive and split phases) for jerk from the rack. On the basis of these results, this device was proven to be valid and reliable on Z axis on the weightlifting movements studied. Thus, this system may be a useful and easy to handle tool to measure acceleration during real-time training sessions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on research which was conducted to investigate the effects a 12 week strength training program had on fencers' movement times. Researchers evaluated the program with 12 experienced male fencers. They found that fencers who were involved in the strength training program had increases in strength and jumping ability and improvements in movement time.

The article focuses on a study which was conducted to determine which method of concurrent strength-endurance training would be most useful for improving running performance in trained runners. It was found that adding explosive and strength-endurance training to the normal training of the runners resulted in improvement in running performance.

Copyright of RICYDE. Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte is the property of Revista Internacional de Ciencias del Deporte and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)